Two victims of an apparent murder in the Fieldbrook area, northeast of Arcata, Calif., have been identified by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office as Harley Wayne Hammers Jr., a 37 year-old, male and a 37-year-old female, Angel Robin Tully, both from Eureka. The victims were located on the evening of Wednesday, Sept., 3 following a 911 call reporting shots fired at a residence in the 4400 block of Fieldbrook Road, Fieldbrook.

After interviewing witnesses, officers identified an alleged suspect in the case as Jason Michael Arreaga, 29 years old from Lucerne, California (shown in the photo) and broadcast a "be-on-the-lookout" notice for Arreaga's vehicle, a Gold 2001 Buick four door sedan. This vehicle was spotted at 12:30 am this morning, Thurs, Sept 4, in south Eureka. Eureka Police Officers and HC Sheriff's Officers successfully followed and stopped the vehicle on US 101 at Singly Hill off ramp, Loleta. Arreaga was driving the vehicle and was arrested for two counts of homicide. He is currently being held on one million dollars bail. Fieldbrook Road was re-opened to traffic at 11:40 a.m. today. Hear more on the KMUD local news tonight at 6 pm.

HCSO Press Release, dated Thurs, Sept., 4, 2014:On 09-03-2014, at approximately 5:07 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding shots fired and a deceased female at a residence in the 4400 block of Fieldbrook Road, Fieldbrook. Deputies and medical personnel were dispatched to the scene. While deputies were enroute the Sheriff’s Office received additional calls with the callers saying the female was deceased near a trailer on the property and there was a male yelling for help in the driveway.The first deputy arrived on scene at 5:17 p.m. The deputy immediately learned there were two victims, an adult male, later identified as Harley Wayne Hammers Jr. 37 years old, from Eureka and an adult female, later identified as Angel Robin Tully, 37 years old, from Eureka, both whom had been shot. Hammers was located by the deputy across the street from where the shooting had occurred. Medical personnel treated Hammers for gunshot wound injuries and transported him Mad River Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Tully was declared deceased at the scene.

Sheriff’s Office Detectives responded to the scene, and the California Highway Patrol, and Humboldt County Public Works assisted with closing Fieldbrook Road, from Anker Lane to Wagle Lane, which had become part of the crime scene.

Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives searched the area for a shooting suspect and spoke with witnesses. Detectives learned during their investigation the suspect was Jason Michael Arreaga, 29 years old from Lucerne, California. Arreaga had been in an argument with the victims. Detectives learned Arreaga was driving a Gold 2001 Buick four door sedan. A be-on-the-lookout was broadcast for the vehicle to law enforcement agencies.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., 09-04-2014, a Eureka Police Officer spotted the Buick driving southbound on US 101 as it was passing through south Eureka. The Eureka Police Officer followed the vehicle until Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and assisted in the traffic stop. The vehicle was stopped on US 101 at Singly Hill off ramp, Loleta. Arreaga was driving the vehicle and Arreaga was arrested for two counts of homicide and was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked into jail. He is being held on one million dollars bail.

Detectives are still on scene, and still actively working on the case. They have requested Arreaga’ s photograph be withheld at this time while they continue interviewing eye witnesses.

The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has scheduled the autopsies to be conducted 9-6-2014.

Additional information may be released at a later time as it becomes available, this is still an active investigation.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Special KMUD News programming aired today giving updates on the latest news about the Lodge Lightning Complex, including homeowners reacting to ‪the ‎Lodge Lightning Complex‬ Evacuation Order given last night (Friday, Aug., 8). Use the SoundCloud player below to hear this program.

The following information and maps were supplied by Bob Barsotti, dated Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 9:43 AM:

"The fire has crossed the fire line on Brushy Mountain and has burned approx 200acres on the east side of the line. They are hitting it hard w/ aircraft today, both heli & fixed wing. They have two new heli's here called sky cranes that are dipping at the gel plant set up at Alder Springs Vineyards pond and dumping the retardant on the fires. Today they are focussing on creating a new fire break through the rangeland east of the fire and west of Hwy 101 trying to make a disconnect if the fire heads further east today. The fire has also crossed the Eel at the mouth of 10 Mile canyon and will probably burn up to Camp Seabow today. They are pretty confidant they can stop it there, but they also felt that way yesterday on Brushy Mt. They are also focusing on stopping it from spreading towards Tan Oak Park by using the fixed wing aircraft dropping retardant all along the line there."

"Here are three maps showing the fire perimeter, the air ops, and the section map. I was especially impressed in the briefing of the pilots this AM when Calfire told them that after dipping in the gel plant, if they aren't sent right back for another load they need to go to their clean out dip to clean their tanks and hoses in case their next mission is to the river, as they cannot dip in the river with retardant in their systems. Hat's off to Calfire for their extreme attention to detail in the midst of chaos."

Update: From CalFire, posted at 7:00 AM, Aug. 9, 2014: An Evacuation Order has been issued for the area around the eastern boundary of the Lodge Fire in the following areas: Camp Seabow, Elder Place, Tan Oak Park, Bald Mountain Ranch, Mad Creek, Elk Creek east of Brush Mountain.

According to the update, the Lodge Complex has burned 7100 acres, is 30% contained and has involved 11 injuries with 58 structures threatened.

The CalFire Incident update describes the current situation as:"The fire continues to burn in heavy timber. Firefighters are challenged by steep, rugged terrain with difficult access. Late yesterday afternoon the fire made significant runs on the eastern portion of the fire. Eight firefighters were injured as the fire crested a portion of Brush Mountain. All eight firefighters were transported to burn centers and treated for burns; they remain in stable condition."

An evacuation shelter has been set up by the American Red Cross at the Leggett School, 1 School Way

Community meetings will be held today (Sat., Aug 9), in Leggett and Laytonville. The meeting in Leggett will begin at 1:00PM at Leggett School, 1 School Way. The meeting in Laytonville will begin at 5:00PM at the Harwood Hall, 44400 Willis Ave.

The original post on this announcement appears below.

Update Friday evening, Aug. 8: CalFire has now issued an Evacuation Order for the area around the eastern boundary of the Lodge Complex Fire in the area of Elk Creek east of Brush Mountain.

An “Evacuation Order,” means there is an imminent threat to life and property in the affected areas and people in these areas should leave the affected area immediately.

Additional Lodge Lightning Complex Community Meetings are scheduled for this Saturday, August 9th, in Leggett starting at 1 pm at Redwood Mercantile and in Laytonville at 5 pm held in Harwood Hall.

According to information recieved by KMUD News, Sheriff Allman said his office will issue evacuation warnings before any actual evacuations, and suggested that folks make sure they're registered in the county's Reverse 911 system in case evacuation notices are needed.

30 bulldozers are working to construct the containment line around the fire, which is 30% complete so far.

Fire activity increased yesterday as the eastern flank of the fire pushed to the south. The fire crossed the Eel River in two areas and continues to grow to the east. Structure defense preparation continues near populated areas and firefighting personnel continue to make progress constructing fire line across the northern and southern boundaries of the fire.

35 structures threatened, but Sheriff Allman said there are NO immediate plans for evacuation. The Sheriff and all firefighting personnel encouraged local residents to register with Reverse 911, the system used to notify homeowners of an evacuation.

Sheriff Allman said his office will issue evacuation warnings before any actual evacuations, and suggested folks make sure they're registered in the county's Reverse 911 system in case evacuation notices are needed.

The lightning-caused Beaver Fire started July 30th. It is located on the Klamath National Forest near Beaver Creek Road, north of Highway 96 near the Klamath River, in Siskiyou County.

The fire grew again, 17,142 acres are on fire and 20% contained.

A community meeting has been scheduled for Friday, August 8th at 7:00PM at the Klamath River Community Hall.

Resources will continue to evaluate structure threats south of Highway 96 and the Klamath River. Currently, Highway 96 is open to local traffic only.

The advisory evacuation issued by the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has expanded to include the area between Lumgrey Creek to the Doggett Creek. Evacuees can utilize the Red Cross Shelter at the Jackson Street Elementary School at 405 Jackson Street in Yreka

The July Complex fires are also burning in the Klamath National Forest.

The Complex is burning 10,081 acres.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Mandatory Evacuation for the residents of Rainbow Mine, Music Creek, and South Russian Creek and areas. These notices are for all residents east of Sawyers Bar on the 40N54 Road.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Evacuation Advisory for residents of Quartz Valley and Mugginsville remains in effect. The notice is for all residents along Quartz Valley Road between Scott River Road and Oro Fino Road.

There is a fire behavior advisory for record low fuel moistures in both live and dead fuels. Coupled with clearing skys and good ventilation, firefighters expect increased fire behavior. Predictive models show a potential for rapid growth of the Log and Whites fires.

INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE LIVING NEAR A FIRE ZONE:During an evacuation advisory you should begin preparing for a potential evacuation order. Individuals requiring more time to evacuate should consider leaving now. You should also consider removing large animals and large personal items such as motor homes, boats, and heavy equipment.

Prepare Now For Possible Future Evacuations• Pre-plan. Know what valuables you can remove quickly and take with you. Plan to take medicines and first aid kit; flashlight, radio and batteries; important papers and cash; clothes, bedding, food.• Find out where you are to go if/when you evacuate and how to get there. Have more than one route.• Close up the house. Close all windows and doors. Cover all vents if you have time.• Close heavy drapes and blinds. Remove flimsy curtains and move furniture away from windows.• Put flammable lawn furniture in the house or garage.• Turn off the gas or propane. Leave electricity on.• If you have to leave a vehicle, leave it pointed out with the keys in the ignition.• Take your small pets with you. Don’t forget pet food. If you have livestock in a cleared pasture, and have not had time to evacuate them, leave them alone. If not in a cleared area, open the gates.• Keep your driveway clear for fire equipment.• Leave a note indicating where you went and a phone number where you can be reached.• Locate and mark hazardous materials, septic tanks, water sources, etc.• Clean up area around your house.• It is recommended that potential evacuees confirm that they have registered their phone numbers in the reverse 9-1-1 (“CODE RED”) system, which will ensure evacuation-related advisories will be provided via email or phone.

The link to the sign up page is: https://cne.coderedweb.com/Default.aspx?groupid=QwwIA%2BxgIwxOjZE7HCORww%3D%3DSpecial Tips for Disabled and Elderly Persons• Keep your special medications, with duplicate prescriptions, close by and in a safe place where they can be easily reached. These should be ready to be taken with you in case of evacuation. If required, keep extra bladder bags, catheters and sanitary aids near your medication. A bag, into which you can scoop these items quickly, is helpful.• Keep near you at all times any auxiliary devices you need to aid in your mobility, for example, a walker, crutches, cane, etc.• Have extra batteries if you use an electric wheelchair.• Have a notebook and pencils available in several locations if you have difficulty in communicating. Written messages will be invaluable to anyone assisting you.• Do not forget pet food, harness and equipment if you have a seeing-eye or hearing dog.

Information from Bob Barsotti as of 4:30 pm Friday July 8, 2014:"Here are todays maps, the top one being the fire divisions and the bottom one being the air ops map. It looks like they've been backfiring on the east line on Brushy Mountain this afternoon. We have the large C-130, maybe 2, dropping loads of retardant as well as a number of new larger helicopters flying overhead. I'm about 4 miles from the southeast edge of the fire and they are worried about it heading up 10 Mile Creek canyon today. The big push seems to be on the eastern edge on Brushy Mountain where the fire crossed the Eel River in three places by this morning. I'm told they had hose and water tanks all along that edge of the fire this AM so they are ready for it coming that way."

A 15 year-old female runaway, named Yaa-Mitch Stormy Friday Erickson, was last seen at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at her home in the 100 block of Old School Road, Orleans. The teen's mother reported her as missing to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office the next morning. According to a press release from the HCSO, "A note was left behind by her daughter, indicating she may be intending to harm herself, possibly in the Klamath River."

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539. The HCSO press release appears below.

HCSO press release, dated, Thurs, July 31, 2014:The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a high risk missing 15 year old female runaway juvenile named Yaa-Mitch Stormy Friday Erickson. At approximately 8:30 a.m. today, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office received a call from her mother. She reported that she last saw her daughter at 7:00 p.m. last night, 7-30-2014, at her residence. Sometime during the night, her daughter snuck out of their residence which is located in the 100 block of Old School Road, Orleans and ran away. A note was left behind by her daughter, indicating she may be intending to harm herself, possibly in the Klamath River.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Orleans Volunteer Fire Department Volunteers, a United States Coast Guard Helicopter and family and friends are currently searching the Klamath River and surrounding area looking for Yaa-Mitch Erickson.

Yaa-Mitch Stormy Friday Erickson is described as: White Female, 15 years old, 5’ 5” tall, 110 lbs, light brown hair with bangs and blonde highlights, brown eyes. Possibly wearing a black T-Shirt with the number “25” on it or a black sun dress with black jeans.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Update July 25, 2014: Both murder victims have now been identified in the shootings that occurred recently in the Rancho Sequoia area of Humboldt County. The first victim, Neil Decker, age 49, was found on Friday July 18. The murder suspect was identified by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office as 30 year old Matthew Aaron Brown. Then on Monday, July 21, at 9:49 pm, Sheriff's Deputies, who were in the area looking for Brown, were alerted that shots had been fired nearby and located a second deceased person, later identified as 57 year old Scott Will Johnson. At around 5 am the next morning, a SWAT team located and arrested suspect Matthew Aaron Brown who is now in custody. The press release describing the events appears below.

HCSO press release, dated July 22, 2014:On 07-21-2014, at approximately 9:49 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a resident in the Rancho Sequoia area of Humboldt County who reported there had been a shooting and someone was shot. Two Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were in the Rancho Sequoia area at the time, looking for murder suspect Matthew Aaron Brown, 30 years old, who was wanted for the 07-18-2014 shooting homicide of Neil Decker, age 49. The deputies heard several shots at the same time the citizen reported the shots, and were on scene within minutes. The deputies were informed by the citizen that murder suspect Matthew Brown was in the area where the shots had been fired. The deputies were also informed that local residents had gone looking for Brown, and that one of the residents was believed to be shot and had major injuries. Medical personnel were called to the scene, along with additional law enforcement from the California Highway Patrol and Fortuna Police department. Medical personnel staged in the area awaiting law enforcement personnel to secure the scene for their safety.

The deputies located a deceased person in the roadway. Due to an armed murder suspect being in the area, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was called to the scene.

The SWAT team arrived at approximately 5:00 a.m., 07-22-2014, and located murder suspect Matthew Arron Brown at approximately 6:00 a.m. Brown was arrested and is currently enroute to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Detectives are being assisted by Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office Investigators, Eureka Police Detectives and California Department of Justice .

A Humboldt County Superior Court Search Warrant has been obtained and investigators have begun searching the property. The area is still an active crime scene and it is unknown if there are any other victims. Additional information will be released as it becomes available; investigators are still in the process of determining what happened. This is the fourth homicide in the Rancho Sequoia area in the last 24 months.Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

The previous post on this case appears below.

Last Friday night ( July 18, 2014) 49 year-old Neil Eugene Decker from Alderpoint was shot in the chest with a shotgun at a location described by a Humboldt County Sheriff's Office press release as the 2000 block of Rancho Sequoia near Alderpoint. Despite medical personnel's efforts to save his life, Decker died of the gunshot wound before he could be airlifted to a medical facility.

A subsequent HCSO press release identified the suspected shooter as Matthew Aaron Brown, age 30. Brown (shown in the photo) is described as a white, male adult, 5’-11” in height, weight 200 pounds, with a shaved head and blue eyes. The Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert to other local law enforcement agencies to arrest Brown for homicide and considers Brown to be armed and dangerous. If Brown is spotted HCSO advises members of the public to call 9-1-1 and not to approach him. This is the third homicide in the Rancho Sequoia area of Alderpoint in the last 24 months. Both press releases appear below.

HCSO press release, dated, July 21, 2014:The victim in the homicide has been identified as Neil Eugene Decker age 49 from Alderpoint. The suspect has been identified as Matthew Aaron Brown age 30. Brown is described as a white, male adult, 5’-11” in height, weight 200 pounds, with a shaved head and blue eyes.

The homicide occurred in the 2000 block of Rancho Sequoia near Alderpoint. The victim and suspect were acquainted with each other. They got into a verbal argument over personal property on Friday night before the shooting. Shortly after the argument the suspect shot the victim in the chest with a shotgun. The suspect then fled the area on a green motorcycle.

The Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert to other local law enforcement agencies to arrest Brown for homicide. The Sheriff’s Office considers Brown to be armed and dangerous. The Sheriff’s Office is advising the public is they see Matthew Brown to call 9-1-1 and do not approach him.

This homicide is the third homicide in the Rancho Sequoia area of Alderpoint in the last 24 months.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Original press release:On 07/18/2014 at approximately 10:51 PM, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a male subject in his fifties that was shot in the chest. The shooting occurred in the Alderpoint area of Southern Humboldt. Deputies responded with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. Medical personnel arrived on scene and began life saving efforts. The victim was transported to a landing zone to be flown out by helicopter. The victim succumbed to his injury prior to being transported by helicopter.

The whereabouts of the suspect involved in the shooting is unknown at this time. This incident is currently being investigated by Detectives with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and personnel from the Department of Justice.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Congressman Jered Huffman offered an amendment to the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4923) which would have provided an additional $52 million earmarked to aid in drought relief in California and other western states. However, according to a press release received by the KMUD News Department, the amendment did not pass. The press release appears below as does a video of Huffman speaking on the House floor about his amendment.

Press Release, dated July 10, 2014:Huffman: “Congress cannot make it rain, but what we can do is invest in drought-resistant water supplies through smart, sustainable investments in conservation and water reuse.”

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) offered an amendment to the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4923) to provide relief from the historic drought facing California and many other western states. Huffman’s amendment would provide an additional $52 million for water-saving conservation, reuse and recycling infrastructure projects, offset by a reduction to the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy account, which provides funding for research into non-military nuclear power plants. The amendment was defeated.

“The California drought is the most extreme drought that many of us have seen in our lifetime, and we either believe it’s a national crisis and a national priority or we don’t,” Congressman Huffman said. “Congress cannot make it rain, but what we can do is invest in drought-resistant water supplies through smart, sustainable investments in conservation and water reuse.”

Specifically, Huffman’s amendment would direct $52 million to the Bureau of Reclamation for Title XVI water-saving conservation, reuse and recycling infrastructure projects, which support municipalities, farmers, fish and wildlife, and recreation. This amendment reflects one program funded by Congressman Huffman’s drought bill, which he introduced in March. In June, nearly 80% of California was under extreme drought conditions, and 36% of the state was in an “exceptional” drought, the highest category on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Morgan Martin, a 14 year old girl, (shown in the photo) was reported missing as of 8:30 pm Friday, July 4, 2014 and was last seen on Parkwood Boulevard in Eureka.

Morgan Martin is described as: a white female, 5’7” tall, brown eyes, with short strawberry blond hair, and weighs approximately 178 lbs. She was last seen wearing dark Yoga pants, dark San Francisco Giants ball cap and a pink blouse. Her hair is in a ponytail, and she carries a flowered purse. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Morgan is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Press Release, dated July 9, 2014:On 07-05-2014, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the grandmother of Morgan Martin, 14 years old. The grandmother reported that she is the guardian of Martin. On July 4, 2014, they were on Parkwood Boulevard, Eureka watching fireworks together at approximately 8:30 p.m. Martin told her she was going to visit a friend and walked off. She failed to come home. The grandmother searched for her until approximately midnight. The grandmother checked with all her friends, and no one had seen Martin or had any idea where she was.

The grandmother is concerned not only due to her age, but also because Martin has medical issues which require medication.

Morgan Martin is described as follows: 14 years old, white female, 5’7” tall, brown eyes, short strawberry blond hair, approximately 178 lbs. Last seen wearing dark Yoga pants, dark San Francisco Giants ball cap and pink blouse. Her hair is in a ponytail and she carries a flowered purse.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

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